A neuron, the fundamental unit of the nervous system, is specialized for transmitting nerve impulses. Here’s a description of the labeled parts of a neuron:
- Dendrites 🌿:
- Function: Receive signals from other neurons.
- Looks Like: Branches around the cell body.
- Cell Body (Soma) 🧬:
- Function: Contains the nucleus; processes signals.
- Looks Like: The main part of the neuron.
- Nucleus 🧪:
- Function: Controls the neuron’s activities.
- Location: Inside the cell body.
- Axon 📡:
- Function: Sends signals away from the cell body.
- Looks Like: A long tail extending from the cell body.
- Myelin Sheath 🧥:
- Function: Covers the axon, making signal transmission faster.
- Looks Like: Fatty layers wrapped around the axon.
- Nodes of Ranvier ⚡:
- Function: Gaps in the myelin sheath that speed up signal transmission.
- Axon Terminals 🔚:
- Function: Pass signals to other neurons or muscles.
- Looks Like: End points of the axon.
- Synapse 🔄:
- Function: The gap between neurons where signals are transferred.
These parts work together to help neurons transmit signals quickly and efficiently throughout the body!